Fuel cell stack temperature control

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fuel cell system configured to modulate the flow of oxidant through the fuel cell system to maintain a desired temperature at the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell system is configured to control the flow of oxidant to maintain the desired temperature in the fuel cell stack based on temperature measurements of fluid outside of the fuel cell stack.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to concurrently filed and co-pendingapplications identified as: U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,filed Nov. 13, 2017, entitled “Fuel Cell Stack Temperature Control”,bearing Docket Number G3541-00289/FCA12018, with named inventors MicheleBozzolo, Francesco Caratozzolo, David Silveira Erel and AlbertoTraverso; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Nov. 13,2017, entitled “Fuel Cell Stack Temperature Control”, bearing DocketNumber G3541-00290/FCA12021, with named inventors Michele Bozzolo,Francesco Caratozzolo, David Silveira Erel and Alberto Traverso.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to fuel cell systems. More specifically,the present disclosure relates to a system and method for controllingthe temperature of the fuel cell stack.

BACKGROUND

A fuel cell is an electrochemical conversion device that produceselectricity by oxidizing a fuel. A fuel cell typically includes ananode, a cathode, and an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode.A fuel cell system usually includes multiple fuel cells electricallyconnected to one another in series via interconnects (sometimescollectively referred to as a “fuel cell unit”) and several componentsconfigured to provide the fuel to the anodes of the fuel cells and anoxidant to the cathodes of the fuel cells. The oxygen in the oxidant isreduced at the cathode into oxygen ions that diffuse through theelectrolytes into the anodes. The fuel is oxidized at the anodes, whichproduces electrons that flow through an electrical load.

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems (and other high-temperature fuelcell systems) require a relatively high operating temperature, such as1000 degrees Celsius, to maintain low internal electrical resistance andachieve optimal performance. Accordingly, there is a need for systemsand methods for controlling high-temperature fuel cell systems tomaintain a desired temperature in the fuel cell stack.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fuel cell systemconfigured to modulate the flow of oxidant through the fuel cell systemto maintain a desired temperature at the fuel cell stack. The fuel cellsystem is configured to control the flow of oxidant to maintain thedesired temperature in the fuel cell stack based on temperaturemeasurements of fluid outside of the fuel cell stack.

A method is presented of operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuelcell stack comprising multiple fuel cells each comprising an anode and acathode. The method comprises providing, by an oxidant flow controldevice and at a substantially constant oxidant mass flow rate, anoxidant to the cathodes; sensing, by a temperature sensor, a temperatureof the oxidant upstream of the fuel cell stack and sending, by thetemperature sensor, a signal representing the sensed temperature to acontroller; controlling, by the controller and based on the sensedtemperature, an amount of heat an oxidant heater provides to the oxidantto heat the oxidant; and providing, by a fuel flow control device and ata fuel mass flow rate, a fuel to the anodes.

In some embodiments the method further comprises providing, by the fuelcell stack, an electrical current to an electrical load. In someembodiments the method further comprises controlling, by the controller,the provision of the electrical current to the electrical load based onan electrical current set point. In some embodiments the method furthercomprises controlling, by the controller, the fuel flow control deviceto provide the fuel to the anodes. In some embodiments the methodfurther comprises determining, by the controller, the fuel mass flowrate based on the electrical current set point and controlling, by thecontroller, the fuel flow control device to provide the fuel to theanodes at the determined fuel mass flow rate.

In some embodiments a first electrical current set point corresponds toa first fuel mass flow rate and a second electrical current set pointthat is greater than the first electrical current set point correspondsto a second fuel mass flow rate that is greater than the first fuel massflow rate. In some embodiments the method further comprises controlling,by the controller, the oxidant flow control device to provide theoxidant to the cathodes and controlling, by the controller, the fuelflow control device to provide the fuel to the anodes.

In some embodiments the method further comprises controlling, by thecontroller and based on the sensed temperature, the amount of heat theoxidant heater provides to the oxidant to heat the oxidant bycontrolling, by the controller, a mass flow rate of an auxiliary fueloutput by an auxiliary fuel flow control device to the oxidant heater.In some embodiments the method further comprises determining, by thecontroller, a difference between the sensed temperature and atemperature set point and controlling, by the controller, the mass flowrate of the auxiliary fuel provided by the auxiliary fuel flow controldevice to the oxidant heater to reduce the difference between the sensedtemperature and the temperature set point.

In some embodiments determining the difference between the sensedtemperature and the temperature set point comprises determining, by aproportional-integral-derivative (PID) module of the controller, thedifference between the sensed temperature and the temperature set point.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel cellsystem comprises a fuel cell stack, an oxidant control device, a fuelflow control device, a temperature sensor, an oxidant heater, and acontroller. The fuel cell stack comprises multiple fuel cells eachcomprising an anode and a cathode. The oxidant flow control device is influid communication with the cathodes and configured to provide anoxidant at an oxidant mass flow rate to the cathodes. The fuel flowcontrol device is in fluid communication with the anodes and configuredto provide a fuel at a fuel mass flow rate to the anodes. Thetemperature sensor is configured to sense a temperature of the oxidantupstream of the fuel cell stack. The oxidant heater is configured toheat the oxidant upstream of the fuel cell stack. The controller isconfigured to control the oxidant flow control device to provide theoxidant to the cathodes such that the oxidant mass flow rate issubstantially constant; control, based on the sensed temperature, anamount of heat the oxidant heater provides to the oxidant to heat theoxidant; and control the fuel flow control device to provide the fuel tothe anodes.

In some embodiments the fuel cell stack is electrically connectable toan electrical load and configured to provide an electrical current tothe electrical load. In some embodiments the controller is furtherconfigured to control the provision of the electrical current to theelectrical load based on an electrical current set point. In someembodiments the controller is further configured to determine the fuelmass flow rate based on the electrical current set point and to controlthe fuel flow control device to provide the fuel to the anodes at thedetermined fuel mass flow rate. In some embodiments a first electricalcurrent set point corresponds to a first fuel mass flow rate and asecond electrical current set point that is greater than the firstelectrical current set point corresponds to a second fuel mass flow ratethat is greater than the first fuel mass flow rate.

In some embodiments the fuel cell system further comprises an auxiliaryfuel flow control device in fluid communication with the oxidant heaterand configured to provide an auxiliary fuel at an auxiliary fuel massflow rate to the oxidant heater. In some embodiments the controller isfurther configured to control the amount of heat the oxidant heaterprovides to the oxidant to heat the oxidant by controlling the auxiliaryfuel mass flow rate. In some embodiments the controller is furtherconfigured to determine a difference between the sensed temperature anda temperature set point and control the auxiliary fuel mass flow rate toreduce the difference between the sensed temperature and the temperatureset point. In some embodiments a proportional-integral-derivative (PID)module of the controller is configured to determine the differencebetween the sensed temperature and the temperature set point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of some components of one example embodimentof the fuel cell system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is another block diagram of some components of the fuel cellsystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another block diagram of some components of the fuel cellsystem of FIG. 1 during a transition from shut-down mode to standbymode. Dashed lines represent control signals while solid lines representfluid flow paths.

FIG. 4 is another block diagram of some components of the fuel cellsystem of FIG. 1 during a transition from standby mode to operatingmode. Dashed lines represent control signals while solid lines representfluid flow paths.

FIG. 5 is another block diagram of some components of the fuel cellsystem of FIG. 1 during operating mode. Dashed lines represent controlsignals while solid lines represent fluid flow paths.

FIG. 6 is another block diagram of some components of the fuel cellsystem of FIG. 1 during an alternative transition from standby mode tooperating mode. Dashed lines represent control signals while solid linesrepresent fluid flow paths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the features, methods, devices, and systems described herein maybe embodied in various forms, the drawings show and the detaileddescription describes some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments. Notall of the components shown and described in the drawings and thedetailed descriptions may be required, and some implementations mayinclude additional, different, or fewer components from those expresslyshown and described. Variations in the arrangement and type of thecomponents; the shapes, sizes, and materials of the components; and themanners of attachment and connections of the components may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forthherein. This specification is intended to be taken as a whole andinterpreted in accordance with the principles of the invention as taughtherein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fuel cell systemconfigured to modulate the flow of oxidant through the fuel cell systemto maintain a desired temperature at the fuel cell stack. The fuel cellsystem is configured to control the flow of oxidant to maintain thedesired temperature in the fuel cell stack based on temperaturemeasurements of fluid outside of the fuel cell stack.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one example embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC) system 100 of the present disclosure and components thereof.While a SOFC system is used in this example, the present disclosure maybe implemented in any other suitable fuel cell system. The SOFC system100 includes an oxidant heat exchanger 110, a cathode ejector 112, anoxidant heater 114, an SOFC stack 116, an anode ejector 118, apre-reformer 120, a reformer 122, a fuel heat exchanger 124, anauxiliary ejector 126, a combustor 128, an oxidant flow control device130, a controller 132, a first temperature sensor 134 a, a secondtemperature sensor 134 b, a third temperature sensor 134 c, a fuel flowcontrol device 136, and an auxiliary fuel flow control device 138.

As described in detail below, the SOFC system 100 is fluidly connectableto an oxidant source 102 (such as a source of air), a fuel source 104(such as a source of natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or biogas),and an auxiliary fuel source 106 (such as a source of natural gas,hydrogen, or syngas). The SOFC system 100 is operable to use oxidantfrom the oxidant source 102 to oxidize fuel from the fuel source 104 togenerate electricity that the SOFC stack 116 supplies to an externalelectrical load. The SOFC system 100 is operable to use auxiliary fuelfrom the auxiliary fuel source 106 to heat the oxidant flowing into theSOFC stack 116.

1. Components

The oxidant heat exchanger 110 is a suitable heat exchanger including:(1) a cold side having an oxidant inlet and an oxidant outlet (notlabeled) in fluid communication with one another; and (2) a hot sidehaving a combustion byproduct inlet and a combustion byproduct outlet(not labeled) in fluid communication with one another. The oxidant heatexchanger 110 is configured to transfer heat from relatively hotcombustion byproducts that flow through the hot side from the combustionbyproduct inlet to the combustion byproduct outlet to relatively coldoxidant traveling through the cold side from the oxidant inlet to theoxidant outlet. The oxidant heat exchanger 110 is a counter-flow heatexchanger in this example embodiment, though the oxidant heat exchanger110 may be any other suitable type of heat exchanger in otherembodiments.

The cathode ejector 112 includes a motive fluid inlet 112 a, a suctionfluid inlet 112 b, and a fluid outlet 112 c in fluid communication withone another. The cathode ejector 112 is configured (such as via aconvergent/divergent nozzle construction or any other suitableconstruction) such that when a relatively high-pressure motive fluid isintroduced into the motive fluid inlet 112 a and a relativelylow-pressure suction fluid is present at the suction fluid inlet 112 b,the flow of the motive fluid through the cathode ejector 112 creates alow pressure region (a vacuum in certain instances) downstream of themotive and suction fluid inlets 112 a and 112 b. This low pressureregion sucks the suction fluid from the suction fluid inlet 112 b andcauses the suction fluid to mix with the motive fluid before flowing outof the fluid outlet 112 c.

The oxidant heater 114 includes an oxidant inlet and an oxidant outlet(not labeled) in fluid communication with one another. The oxidantheater 114 also includes an auxiliary fuel inlet (not labeled). Theoxidant heater 114 is configured to convert auxiliary fuel (receivedfrom the auxiliary fuel flow control device 138) into heat and to usethat heat to heat the oxidant in thermal communication with the oxidantheater 114. In this example, the oxidant heater 114 includes a gasburner, though it may be any other suitable device in other embodimentssuch as a catalytic start burner or electric heater.

The SOFC stack 116 includes multiple individual SOFCs (not shown) eachincluding an anode and a cathode sandwiching an electrolyte. The SOFCsare electrically connected to one another in series via interconnects.The SOFC stack 116 includes a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet (not labeled)in fluid communication with one another and an oxidant inlet and anoxidant outlet (not labeled) in fluid communication with one another.The SOFC stack 116 is also electrically connectable to the electricalload. Generally, in operation, as oxidant flows past the cathodes andfuel flows past the anodes of the SOFCs of the SOFC stack 116, theoxygen in the oxidant is reduced into oxygen ions at the cathodes thatthen diffuse through the electrolytes to the anodes. The fuel isoxidized at the anodes, which produces electrons that flow through theelectrical load.

The anode ejector 118 includes a motive fluid inlet 118 a, a suctionfluid inlet 118 b, and a fluid outlet 118 c in fluid communication withone another. The anode ejector 118 is configured (such as via aconvergent/divergent nozzle construction or any other suitableconstruction) such that when a relatively high-pressure motive fluid isintroduced into the motive fluid inlet 118 a and a relativelylow-pressure suction fluid is present at the suction fluid inlet 118 b,the flow of the motive fluid through the anode ejector 118 creates a lowpressure region (a vacuum in certain instances) downstream of the motiveand suction fluid inlets 118 a and 118 b. This low pressure region sucksthe suction fluid from the suction fluid inlet 118 b and causes thesuction fluid to mix with the motive fluid before flowing out of thefluid outlet 118 c.

The pre-reformer 120 includes a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet (notlabeled) in fluid communication with one another. The pre-reformer 120is a suitable device (such as an adiabatic catalytic converter)configured to remove higher hydrocarbons from unreformed fuel to convertit into pre-reformed fuel. In certain embodiments, the pre-reformer isconfigured to do so with no heat input other than the heat present inthe fuel and/or the exhausted oxidant. In other embodiments, the SOFCsystem does not include a pre-reformer.

The reformer 122 includes: (1) a cold side including a fuel inlet and afuel outlet (not labeled) in fluid communication with one another; and(2) a hot side including an oxidant inlet and an oxidant outlet (notlabeled) in fluid communication with one another. The reformer 122 isconfigured to transfer heat from relatively hot oxidant that flowsthrough the hot side from the oxidant inlet to the oxidant outlet torelatively cold pre-reformed fuel traveling through the cold side fromthe fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The reformer 122 is (partially) acounter-flow heat exchanger in this example embodiment, though thereformer may incorporate any other suitable type of heat exchanger inother embodiments. As the pre-reformed fuel flows from the fuel inlet tothe fuel outlet, the reformer 122 is configured to reform thepre-reformed fuel via a catalyst into reformed fuel. The heating of thepre-reformed fuel aids in the catalytic conversion process.

The fuel heat exchanger 124 includes: (1) a cold side having a fuelinlet and a fuel outlet (not labeled) in fluid communication with oneanother; and (2) a hot side having an oxidant inlet and an oxidantoutlet (not labeled) in fluid communication with one another. The fuelheat exchanger 124 is configured to transfer heat from relatively hotoxidant traveling through the hot side from the oxidant inlet to theoxidant outlet to relatively cold reformed fuel traveling through thecold side from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The fuel heatexchanger 124 is a counter-flow heat exchanger in this exampleembodiment, though the fuel heat exchanger may be any other suitabletype of heat exchanger in other embodiments.

The auxiliary ejector 126 includes a motive fluid inlet 126 a, a suctionfluid inlet 126 b, and a fluid outlet 126 c in fluid communication withone another. The auxiliary ejector 126 is configured (such as via aconvergent/divergent nozzle construction or any other suitableconstruction) such that when a relatively high-pressure motive fluid isintroduced into the motive fluid inlet 126 a and a relativelylow-pressure suction fluid is present at the suction fluid inlet 126 b,the flow of the motive fluid through the auxiliary ejector 126 creates alow pressure region (a vacuum in certain instances) downstream of themotive and suction fluid inlets 126 a and 126 b. This low pressureregion sucks the suction fluid from the suction fluid inlet 126 b andcauses the suction fluid to mix with the motive fluid before flowing outof the fluid outlet 126 c.

The combustor 128 includes a combustion product inlet and a combustionbyproduct outlet (not labeled) in fluid communication with one another.The combustor 128 is a suitable device (such as a catalytic start gascombustor) configured to receive (via the auxiliary ejector 126,described below) and combust some or all of: (1) the fuel exhausted fromthe SOFC stack 116; (2) the oxidant exhausted from SOFC stack 116; and(3) fresh oxidant received from the oxidant supply 102. While thecombustor 128 and the auxiliary ejector 126 are shown as separatecomponents in this example embodiment, in other embodiments thecombustor and the auxiliary ejector are combined into a singlecomponent.

The oxidant flow control device 130 includes an oxidant inlet and anoxidant outlet (not labeled) in fluid communication with one another.The oxidant inlet is fluidly connectable to the oxidant supply 102 toenable the oxidant flow control device 130 to draw oxidant from theoxidant supply 102. The oxidant flow control device 130 is any suitabledevice configured to (directly or indirectly) control the mass flow rateof the oxidant into the SOFC system 100. The oxidant flow control device130 may include, for instance, turbo-generators, turbochargers, an aircompressor, a metering valve, or any other suitable system orcomponent(s).

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 132 includes a central processingunit (CPU) (not shown) communicatively connected to a memory (notshown). The CPU is configured to execute program code or instructionsstored on the memory to control operation of various components of theSOFC system 100. The CPU may be a microprocessor; a content-addressablememory; a digital-signal processor; an application-specific integratedcircuit; a field-programmable gate array; any suitable programmablelogic device, discrete gate, or transistor logic; discrete hardwarecomponents; or any combination of these. The CPU may also be implementedas a combination of these devices, such as a combination of a digitalsignal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors,or one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signalprocessor core.

The memory is configured to store, maintain, and provide data as neededto support the functionality of the SOFC system 100. For instance, invarious embodiments, the memory stores program code or instructionsexecutable by the CPU to control operation of the SOFC system 100. Thememory includes any suitable data storage device or devices, such asvolatile memory (e.g., random-access memory, dynamic random-accessmemory, or static random-access memory); non-volatile memory (e.g.,read-only memory, mask read-only memory, programmable read-only memory,erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory); and/or non-volatile random-access memory(e.g., flash memory, solid-state storage).

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the controller 132 also includes first, second,and third proportional-integral-derivative (PID) modules 132 a, 132 b,and 132 c.

The temperature sensors 134 a, 134 b, and 134 c are thermocouples or anyother suitable sensors configured to sense the temperature of the fluidor the components at locations T1, T2, and T3, respectively, in the SOFCsystem 100 (described below) and to generate and send signals thatcorrespond to the sensed temperature to the controller 132.

The fuel flow control device 136 includes a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet(not labeled) in fluid communication with one another. The fuel inlet isfluidly connectable to the fuel source 104 to enable the fuel flowcontrol device 136 to draw fuel from the fuel source 104. The fuel flowcontrol device 136 is any suitable device configured to (directly orindirectly) control the mass flow rate of the fuel into the SOFC system100. The fuel flow control device 136 may include, for instance, a pump,a gas compressor, a metering valve, or any other suitable system orcomponent(s).

The auxiliary fuel flow control device 138 includes an auxiliary fuelinlet and an auxiliary fuel outlet (not labeled) in fluid communicationwith one another. The auxiliary fuel inlet is fluidly connectable to theauxiliary fuel source 106 to enable the auxiliary fuel flow controldevice 138 to draw auxiliary fuel from the auxiliary fuel source 106.The auxiliary fuel flow control device 138 is any suitable deviceconfigured to (directly or indirectly) control the mass flow rate of theauxiliary fuel into the oxidant heater 114. The auxiliary fuel flowcontrol device 138 may include, for instance, a pump, a gas compressor,a metering valve, or any other suitable system or component(s).

2. Connections

The oxidant inlet of the oxidant flow control device 130 is fluidlyconnectable to the oxidant source 102. The oxidant outlet of the oxidantflow control device 130 is in fluid communication with the oxidant inletof the cold side of the oxidant heat exchanger 110 and with the motivefluid inlet 126 a of the auxiliary ejector 126.

The oxidant inlet of the cold side of the oxidant heat exchanger 110 isin fluid communication with the oxidant outlet of the oxidant flowcontrol device 130. The oxidant outlet of the cold side of the oxidantheat exchanger 110 is in fluid communication with the motive fluid inlet112 a of the cathode ejector 112. The combustion byproduct inlet of thehot side of the oxidant heat exchanger 110 is in fluid communicationwith the combustion byproduct outlet of the combustor 128. Thecombustion byproduct outlet of the hot side of the oxidant heatexchanger 110 is in fluid communication with the suction fluid inlet 126b of the auxiliary ejector 126 and may be vented to the atmosphere afterpassing through the turbine of a turbo-generator (not shown) and arecuperator (not shown).

The motive fluid inlet 112 a of the cathode ejector 112 is in fluidcommunication with the oxidant outlet of the cold side of the oxidantheat exchanger 110. The suction fluid inlet 112 b of the cathode ejector112 is in fluid communication with the oxidant outlet of the SOFC stack116. The fluid outlet 112 c of the cathode ejector 112 is in fluidcommunication with the oxidant inlet of the oxidant heater 114.

The auxiliary fuel inlet of the auxiliary fuel flow control device 138is fluidly connectable to the auxiliary fuel source 106. The auxiliaryfuel outlet of the auxiliary fuel flow control device 138 is in fluidcommunication with the auxiliary fuel inlet of the oxidant heater 114.

The oxidant inlet of the oxidant heater 114 is in fluid communicationwith the fluid outlet 112 c of the cathode ejector 112. The oxidantoutlet of the oxidant heater 114 is fluid communication with the oxidantinlet of the SOFC stack 116. The auxiliary fuel inlet of the oxidantheater 114 is in fluid communication with the auxiliary fuel outlet ofthe auxiliary fuel flow control device 138.

The oxidant inlet of the SOFC stack 116 is in fluid communication withthe oxidant outlet of the oxidant heater 114. The oxidant outlet of theSOFC stack 116 is in fluid communication with the suction fluid inlet112 b of the cathode ejector 112. The fuel inlet of the SOFC stack 116is in fluid communication with the fuel outlet of the fuel heatexchanger 124. The fuel outlet of the SOFC stack 116 is in fluidcommunication with the suction fluid inlets 118 b and 126 b of the anodeejector 118 and the auxiliary ejector 126, respectively.

The fuel inlet of the fuel flow control device 136 is fluidlyconnectable to the fuel source 104. The fuel outlet of the fuel flowcontrol device 136 is in fluid communication with the motive fluid inlet118 a of the anode ejector 118.

The motive fluid inlet 118 a of the anode ejector 118 is in fluidcommunication with the fuel outlet of the fuel flow control device 136.The suction fluid inlet 118 b of the anode ejector 118 is in fluidcommunication with the fuel outlet of the SOFC stack 116. The fluidoutlet 118 c of the anode ejector 118 is in fluid communication with thefuel inlet of the pre-reformer 120.

The fuel inlet of the pre-reformer 120 is in fluid communication withthe fluid outlet 118 c of the anode ejector 118. The fuel outlet of thepre-reformer 120 is in fluid communication with the fuel inlet of thereformer 122 and with the fuel inlet of the fuel heat exchanger 124.

The fuel inlet of the reformer 122 is in fluid communication with thefuel outlet of the pre-reformer 120. The fuel outlet of the reformer 122is in fluid communication with the fuel inlet of the fuel heat exchanger124. The oxidant inlet of the reformer 122 is in fluid communicationwith the oxidant outlet of the fuel heat exchanger 124. The oxidantoutlet of the reformer 122 is in fluid communication with the suctionfluid inlet 126 b of the auxiliary reformer 126.

The fuel inlet of the fuel heat exchanger 124 is in fluid communicationwith the fuel outlet of the pre-reformer 120 and the fuel outlet of thereformer 122. The fuel outlet of the fuel heat exchanger 124 is in fluidcommunication with the fuel inlet of the SOFC stack 116. The oxidantinlet of the fuel heat exchanger 124 is in fluid communication with theoxidant outlet of the SOFC stack 116. The oxidant outlet of the fuelheat exchanger 124 is in fluid communication with the oxidant inlet ofthe reformer 122.

The motive fluid inlet 126 a of the auxiliary ejector 126 is in fluidcommunication with the oxidant outlet of the oxidant flow control device130. The suction fluid inlet 126 b of the auxiliary ejector 126 is influid communication with: (1) the fuel outlet of the SOFC stack 116; (2)the oxidant outlet of the reformer 122; and (3) the combustion byproductoutlet of the hot side of the oxidant heat exchanger 110. The fluidoutlet 126 c of the auxiliary ejector 126 is in fluid communication withthe combustion product inlet of the combustor 128.

The combustion product inlet of the combustor 128 is in fluidcommunication with the fluid outlet 126 c of the auxiliary ejector 126.The combustion byproduct outlet of the combustor 128 is in fluidcommunication with the combustion byproduct inlet of the hot side of theoxidant heat exchanger 110.

The first temperature sensor 134 a is positioned upstream of the suctionfluid inlet 112 b of the cathode ejector 112 and downstream of theoxidant outlet of the SOFC stack 116 such that the first temperaturesensor 134 a can sense the temperature T1 of fluid (here, oxidant) atthat location. The second temperature sensor 134 b is positioneddownstream of the combustion byproduct outlet of the combustor 128 andupstream of the combustion byproduct inlet of the hot side of theoxidant heat exchanger 110 such that the second temperature sensor 134 bcan sense the temperature T2 of fluid (here, combustion byproducts) atthat location. The third temperature sensor 134 c is positioned upstreamof the oxidant inlet of the SOFC stack 116 and downstream of the oxidantoutlet of the oxidant heater 114 such that the third temperature sensor134 c can sense the temperature T3 of fluid (here, oxidant) at thatlocation.

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 132 is communicatively connected tothe first, second, and third temperature sensors 134 a, 134 b, and 134 cto receive the signals from the temperature sensors that correspond tothe sensed temperatures.

The controller 132 is operatively connected to the oxidant flow controldevice 130 to control the oxidant flow control device 130 by providingthe oxidant flow control device 130 an oxidant flow control device setpoint OFCD_(SP). The OFCD_(SP) corresponds to a particular output of theoxidant flow control device 130 (such as a particular quantity ofrevolutions per minute if the oxidant flow control device is a turbine)that itself corresponds to a particular mass flow rate of oxidant intothe SOFC system 100. The controller 132 is therefore configured tocontrol the mass flow rate of oxidant into the SOFC system 100 via theOFCD_(SP) the controller 132 provides to the oxidant flow control device130.

The controller 132 is operatively connected to the fuel flow controldevice 136 to (in certain operating modes) control the fuel flow controldevice 136 by providing the fuel flow control device 136 a fuel flowcontrol device set point FFCD_(SP). The FFCD_(SP) corresponds to aparticular output of the fuel flow control device 136 (such as aparticular quantity of liters per minute if the fuel flow control deviceis a pump) that itself corresponds to a particular mass flow rate offuel into the SOFC system 100. The controller 132 is thereforeconfigured to control the mass flow rate of fuel into the SOFC system100 via the FFCD_(SP) the controller 132 provides to the fuel flowcontrol device 136.

The controller 132 is operatively connected to the auxiliary fuel flowcontrol device 138 to (in certain operating modes) control the auxiliaryfuel flow control device 138 by providing the auxiliary fuel flowcontrol device an auxiliary fuel flow control device set pointAFFCD_(SP). The AFFCD_(SP) corresponds to a particular output of theauxiliary fuel flow control device 138 (such as a particular quantity ofliters per minute if the auxiliary fuel flow control device is a pump)that itself corresponds to an amount of heat the oxidant heater 114provides to the oxidant. The controller 132 is therefore configured tocontrol the amount of heat the oxidant heater 114 provides to theoxidant via the AFFCD_(SP) the controller 132 provides to the auxiliaryfuel flow control device.

3. Operation

The SOFC system 100 is operable in an operating mode and a standby mode.Shut-down mode as used herein refers to a state in which the SOFC system100 is not operating and is at ambient temperature.

When the SOFC system 100 is in operating mode, the SOFC stack 116 is atan operating temperature within a range of operating temperatures, suchas between about 800 degrees centigrade and 1000 degrees centigrade, andthe SOFC system 100 provides the oxidant to the cathode side of the SOFCstack 118 and fuel to the anode side of the SOFC stack 118. The ensuingreactions generate electricity that is provided to the electrical load300.

When the SOFC system 100 is in standby mode, the SOFC stack 116 is at astandby temperature that may be within the range of operatingtemperatures (or below the range of operating temperatures), and theSOFC system 100 provides the oxidant to the cathode side of the SOFCstack 116 but does not provide fuel to the anode side of the SOFC stack116. This means that the SOFC stack 116 does not provide electricalpower to the electrical load 300 in standby mode. To ensure the SOFCstack 116 remains at the operating temperature when in standby mode, theSOFC system 100 supplies auxiliary fuel to the oxidant heater 114 toheat the oxidant flowing into the SOFC stack 116.

Generally, when oxidant flows through the SOFC system 100, it does so asfollows. The controller 132 is configured to control the oxidant flowcontrol device 130 to draw oxidant from the oxidant source 102 anddeliver the oxidant to the oxidant inlet of the cold side of the oxidantheat exchanger 110. As the oxidant flows from the oxidant inlet to theoxidant outlet, relatively hot combustion byproducts (or oxidant,depending on the mode of operation) traveling through the hot side ofthe oxidant heat exchanger 110 (described below) heat the oxidant. Theoxidant exits the oxidant outlet of the cold side of the oxidant heatexchanger 110 and flows into the motive fuel inlet 112 a of the cathodeejector 112.

The oxidant flows through the cathode ejector 112, mixes with oxidantreceived at the suction fluid inlet 112 b, and flows out of the fluidoutlet 112 c to the oxidant inlet of the oxidant heater 114. If theauxiliary fuel flow control device 138 is providing auxiliary fuel tothe oxidant heater 114, the oxidant heater 114 heats the oxidant as theoxidant flows from the oxidant inlet of the oxidant heater 114 to theoxidant outlet of the oxidant heater 114.

The oxidant flows past the third temperature sensor 134 c to the oxidantinlet of the SOFC stack 116. The oxidant flows from the oxidant inlet ofthe SOFC stack 116 to the oxidant outlet of the SOFC stack 116. Theoxidant flows from the oxidant outlet of the SOFC stack 116: (1) pastthe first temperature sensor 134 a and to the suction fluid inlet 112 bof the cathode ejector 112; or (2) to the oxidant inlet of the fuel heatexchanger 124. As described above, the oxidant that flows to the suctionfluid inlet 112 b of the cathode ejector 112 mixes with oxidant receivedat the motive fluid inlet 112 a and flows back to the oxidant heater114.

The oxidant that flows to the oxidant inlet of the fuel heat exchanger124 flows through the fuel heat exchanger 124, exits the oxidant outletof the fuel heat exchanger 124, and flows to the oxidant inlet of thereformer 122. The oxidant flows through the reformer 122, exits theoxidant outlet of the reformer 122, and flows to the suction fluid inlet126 b of the auxiliary ejector 126.

If fuel is not also flowing through the SOFC system 100, the oxidantmixes with oxidant received from the oxidant heat exchanger 110 and issucked through the auxiliary ejector 126 by oxidant received from theoxidant flow control device 130 at the motive fluid inlet 126 a. Theoxidant flows out of the fluid outlet 126 c to the combustion productsinlet of the combustor 128. Since no fuel is present in the oxidant, theoxidant flows through the combustor 128 without being ignited and pastthe second temperature sensor 134 b and to the combustion byproductsinlet of the hot side of the oxidant heat exchanger 110. As thisrelatively hot oxidant flows through the oxidant heat exchanger 110, itheats the fresh oxidant flowing from the oxidant flow control device 130to the cathode ejector 112, as described above. After exiting thecombustion byproducts outlet of the hot side of the oxidant heatexchanger 110, some of the oxidant flows back to the suction fluid inlet126 b of the auxiliary ejector 126 and some of the oxidant is exhaustedto atmosphere.

If fuel is also flowing through the SOFC system 100, the oxidant at thesuction fluid inlet 126 b of the auxiliary ejector 126 mixes withcombustion byproducts received from the oxidant heat exchanger 110 b andis sucked through the auxiliary ejector 126 by oxidant received from theoxidant flow control device 130 at the motive fluid inlet 126 a. Theoxidant/combustion byproducts mixture—referred to as combustionproducts—flows out of the fluid outlet 126 c to the combustion productsinlet of the combustor 128. The combustor 128 ignites the combustionproducts to produce heated combustion byproducts, which flow from thecombustion byproducts outlet of the combustor 128 past the secondtemperature sensor 134 b and to the combustion byproducts inlet of thehot side 110 b of the oxidant heat exchanger 110. As these relativelyhot combustion byproducts flow through the oxidant heat exchanger 110,they heat the fresh oxidant flowing from the oxidant flow control device130 to the cathode ejector 112, as described above. After exiting thecombustion byproducts outlet of the hot side 110 b of the oxidant heatexchanger 110, some of the combustion byproducts flow back to thesuction fluid inlet 126 b of the auxiliary ejector 126 and some of thecombustion byproducts are exhausted to atmosphere.

Generally, when fuel flows through the SOFC system 100, it does so asfollows. The fuel flow control device 136 is configured to drawunreformed fuel from the fuel source 104 and deliver the unreformed fuelto the motive fluid inlet 118 a of the anode ejector 118. The unreformedfuel flows through the anode ejector 118, mixes with fuel that isrecycled from the fuel cell stack exhaust and received at the suctionfluid inlet 118 b, and flows out of the fluid outlet 118 c to the fuelinlet of the pre-reformer 120.

The pre-reformer 120 removes higher hydrocarbons from the unreformedfuel to convert it into pre-reformed fuel. The reformed/pre-reformedfuel mixture flows out of the fuel outlet of the pre-reformer 120, atwhich point some of the mixture flows into the fuel inlet of the coldside of the reformer 122 and some of the mixture bypasses the reformer122 and flows directly to the fuel inlet of the fuel heater 124.

As the mixture flows through the cold side of the reformer 122 from thefuel inlet to the fuel outlet, the relatively hot oxidant flowingthrough the hot side of the reformer 122 heats the mixture and thereformer 122 reforms the pre-reformed fuel portion of the mixture intoreformed fuel via a catalyst. The reformed fuel flows from the fueloutlet of the reformer 122 and joins the pre-reformed fuel/reformed fuelmixture that bypassed the reformer 122 before flowing to the fuel inletof the cold side of the fuel heater 124. As the mixture flows throughthe cold side of the fuel heater 124, the relatively hot oxidant flowingthrough the hot side of the fuel heater 124 heats the mixture before itexits the fuel outlet of the fuel heater 124 and flows to the fuel inletof the SOFC stack 116.

The pre-reformed/reformed fuel mixture flows through the SOFC stack 116and from the fuel outlet of the SOFC stack 116 to: (1) the suction fluidinlet 118 b of the anode ejector 118; and (2) the suction fluid inlet126 b of the auxiliary ejector 126. The pre-reformed/reformed fuelmixture received at the suction fluid inlet 126 b forms part of thecombustion products the combustor 128 ignites, as described above.

Described below are methods for transitioning the SOFC system 100 fromshut-down mode to standby mode, for transitioning the SOFC system 100from standby mode to operating mode, and for operating the SOFC system100 at operating mode.

3.1 Transitioning from Shut-Down Mode to Standby Mode

As shown in FIG. 3, upon initial startup of the SOFC system 100 fromshut-down mode (and ambient temperature) to standby mode, the controller132 is operable to raise the temperature T3 to a standby temperature ata desired rate. The controller 132 is configured to do so by: (1)controlling the oxidant flow control device 130 to control the flow ofoxidant into the SOFC system 100; and (2) controlling the auxiliary fuelflow control device 138 to control the flow of auxiliary fuel to theoxidant heater 114 and thus the amount of heat applied to the oxidant.Since fuel is not flowing through the SOFC system 100 during startup,the SOFC stack 116 does not supply electricity to the electrical load.

More specifically, the controller 132 is configured to provide anoxidant flow control device set point (OFCD_(SP)) (which may be storedin the memory of the controller 132) to the oxidant flow control device130 to control the oxidant flow control device 130 to provide acorresponding mass flow rate of oxidant into the SOFC system 100. Theoxidant flows through the SOFC system 100 as generally described above.The controller 132 is also configured to provide an auxiliary fuel flowcontrol device set point (AFFCD_(SP)) (which may be stored in the memoryof the controller 132 or determined according to a predeterminedfunction or using a PID feedback loop tied to T3) to the auxiliary fuelflow control device 138 to control the auxiliary fuel flow controldevice 138 to increase the mass flow rate of the auxiliary fuel to theoxidant heater 114 (and thus the amount of heat applied to the oxidantin thermal communication with the oxidant heater 114) over time toenable controlled heating of the SOFC stack 116 to the operatingtemperature.

Once the temperature T3 reaches the standby temperature (with no fuelflowing through the SOFC system 100), the SOFC system 100 is in standbymode, and the controller 132 is configured to control the oxidant flowcontrol device 130 and the auxiliary fuel flow control device 138 tomaintain the temperature T3 at the standby temperature (such as via aPID feedback loop tied to T3).

3.2 Transitioning from Standby Mode to Operating Mode

To transition the SOFC system 100 from standby mode to operating mode,the controller 132 is configured to ramp up the amount of fuel flowingthrough the SOFC system 100, ramp up the amount of electricity providedto the electrical load, and taper off the amount of auxiliary fuelsupplied to the oxidant heater while achieving and maintaining atemperature T3 within the range of operating temperatures.

To do so, the controller 132 is configured to: (1) control the oxidantflow control device 130 to control the flow of oxidant into the SOFCsystem 100; (2) control the auxiliary fuel flow control device 138 tocontrol the flow of auxiliary fuel to the oxidant heater 114 and thusthe amount of heat applied to the oxidant; and (3) control the fuel flowcontrol device 136 to control the flow of fuel into the SOFC system 100.

More specifically, the controller 132 is configured to provide agenerally constant OFCD_(SP) to provide a constant mass flow rate ofoxidant into the SOFC system 100. The oxidant flows through the SOFCsystem 100 as generally described above.

The controller 132 is also configured to determine the AFFCD_(SP) basedon a PID feedback loop. In this embodiment, the controller 132 isconfigured to receive (via user input or via a lookup table stored onthe memory of the controller 132) an SOFC stack inlet temperature setpoint T3 _(SP), which represents a desired temperature of the oxidantjust upstream of the oxidant inlet of the SOFC stack 116 and downstreamof the oxidant outlet of the oxidant heater 114.

The controller 132 is communicatively connected to the third temperaturesensor 134 c to receive a signal corresponding to the temperature T3,which represents the measured temperature of the oxidant just upstreamof the oxidant inlet of the SOFC stack 116 and downstream of the oxidantoutlet of the oxidant heater 114. The controller 132 is configured tocalculate the arithmetic mean, the median, or another averagetemperature T3 _(MEAS) from multiple measured temperatures over aparticular period of time (though in other embodiments T3 _(MEAS)represents an instantaneous temperature reading).

The third PID module 132 c is configured to calculate the difference (ifany) between T3 _(SP) and T3 _(MEAS), and controls the output of theauxiliary fuel flow control device 138 to reduce the difference betweenT3 _(SP) and T3 _(MEAS). The third PID module 132 c is configured to doso by using the difference between T3 _(SP) and T3 _(MEAS) to determinean AFFCD_(SP) that corresponds to an output of the auxiliary fuel flowcontrol device 138 that will (via operation of the oxidant heater 114)reduce the difference between T3 _(SP) and T3 _(MEAS). In thisembodiment, the controller 132 is therefore configured to modulate theoutput of the auxiliary fuel flow control device 138 to converge T3_(MEAS) to T3 _(SP). The controller 132 is configured to provide theAFFCD_(SP) to the auxiliary fuel flow control device 138 to control theheat provided by the oxidant heater 114. Generally, AFFCD_(SP) decreasesover time as the SOFC stack 116 heats up because the chemical reactionsin the SOFC stack 116 generate heat.

The controller 132 is also configured to determine and provide anFFCD_(SP) to the fuel flow control device 136 to control the fuel flowcontrol device 136 (and therefore the mass flow rate of fuel into theSOFC system 100). The FFCD_(SP) varies in accordance with a current setpoint I_(SP) that corresponds to the amount of current the SOFC stack116 is desired to supply to the electrical load. The I_(SP) and theFFCD_(SP) are related via a direct relationship such that the higher theI_(SP), the higher the FFCD_(SP). The fuel flows through the SOFC system100 as generally described above.

Once the mass flow rate of the auxiliary fuel reaches zero, fuel isflowing through the SOFC system 100, and the SOFC unit 116 is at theoperating temperature, the SOFC system 100 is in the operating mode.

In other embodiments, the controller 132 determines T3 _(SP) based onthe I_(SP). That is, in these embodiments a relationship exists betweenT3 _(SP) and the I_(SP).

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the SOFC system employing adifferent way of transitioning from standby mode to operating mode. Inthis embodiment, the controller 132 is configured to determine theOFCD_(SP) based on a PID feedback loop. The third PID module 132 c isconfigured to calculate the difference (if any) between T3 _(SP) and T3_(MEAS), and controls the output of the oxidant flow control device 130to reduce the difference between T3 _(SP) and T3 _(MEAS). The PID module132 c is configured to do so by using the difference between T3 _(SP)and T3 _(MEAS) to determine an OFCD_(SP) that corresponds to an outputof the oxidant flow control device 130 that will reduce the differencebetween T3 _(SP) and T3 _(MEAS). In this embodiment, the controller 132is therefore configured to modulate the output of the oxidant flowcontrol device 130—and therefore the mass flow rate of oxidant into theSOFC system 100—to converge T3 _(MEAS) to T3 _(SP).

In this embodiment, the controller 132 is configured to determine (suchas via a look-up table) and provide an FFCD_(SP) to the fuel flowcontrol device 136 to control the fuel flow control device 136 (andtherefore the mass flow rate of fuel into the SOFC system 100). TheFFCD_(SP) varies in accordance with the I_(SP). The I_(SP) and theFFCD_(SP) are related via a direct relationship such that the higher theI_(SP), the higher the FFCD_(SP). Additionally, the controller 132 isconfigured to determine (such as via a look-up table) and provide anAFFCD_(SP) to the oxidant heater 114 to control the oxidant heater 114.The AFFCD_(SP) varies in accordance with the I_(SP). The I_(SP) and theAFFCD_(SP) are related via a direct relationship such that the higherthe I_(SP), the higher the AFFCD_(SP).

3.3 Operating Mode

When in the operating mode, the controller 132 is configured to maintainthe temperature of the SOFC stack 116 at the operating temperature (orwithin a range of operating temperatures). The controller 132 isconfigured to do so by: (1) controlling the oxidant flow control device130 to control the flow of oxidant into the SOFC system 100; and (2)controlling the fuel flow control device 136 to control the flow of fuelinto the SOFC system 100.

The controller 132 is configured to determine (such as via a look-uptable) and provide an FFCD_(SP) to the fuel flow control device 136 tocontrol the fuel flow control device 136 (and therefore the mass flowrate of fuel into the SOFC system 100). The FFCD_(SP) varies inaccordance with the I_(SP). The I_(SP) and the FFCD_(SP) are related viaa direct relationship such that the higher the I_(SP), the higher theFFCD_(SP). Regardless of the mass flow rate of the fuel, the fueltravels through the SOFC system 100 as generally described above for thetransition operating mode.

The controller 132 is also configured to determine and provide anOFCD_(SP) to the oxidant flow control device 130 to control the oxidantflow control device 130 (and therefore the mass flow rate of oxidantinto the SOFC system 100). In the operating mode, the controller 132 isconfigured to determine the OFCD_(SP) based on a PID feedback loop tiedto T1 and T2 (described below).

With other factors held constant (as they generally are in the operatingmode), the mass flow rate of the oxidant into the SOFC system 100controls the temperature of the SOFC stack 116. So in the operatingmode, the controller 132 is configured to control the temperature of theSOFC stack 116 via controlling the output of the oxidant flow controldevice 130. Generally, the higher the mass flow rate of the oxidant intothe SOFC system 100, the more the oxidant imparts a cooling effect onthe SOFC stack 116 and the lower the temperature of the SOFC stack 116.Conversely, the lower the mass flow rate of oxidant into the SOFC system100, the less the oxidant imparts a cooling effect on the SOFC stack 116and the higher the temperature of the SOFC stack 116. So if thetemperature of the SOFC stack 116 is higher than desired, the controller132 is configured to control the oxidant flow control device 130 toincrease the mass flow rate of the oxidant into the SOFC system 100 toincrease its cooling effect and lower the temperature of the SOFC stack116. Conversely, if the temperature of the SOFC stack 116 is lower thandesired, the controller 132 is configured to control the oxidant flowcontrol device 130 to decrease the mass flow rate of the oxidant intothe SOFC system 100 to decrease its cooling effect and increase thetemperature of the SOFC stack 116.

In the operating mode, the controller 132 is configured to determine theOFCD_(SP) based on a PID feedback loop. The first PID module 132 a isconfigured to receive a cathode ejector temperature set point T1 _(SP),which represents a desired temperature of the oxidant upstream of thesuction fluid inlet 112 b of the cathode ejector 112 and downstream ofthe oxidant outlet of the SOFC stack 116. The first PID module 132 a mayreceive T1 _(SP) via user input or via a lookup table stored on thememory of the controller 132. In certain embodiments the controllerdetermines T1 _(SP) based on the I_(SP).

The first PID module 132 a is communicatively connected to the firsttemperature sensor 134 a to receive a signal corresponding to thetemperature T1, which is the measured temperature of the oxidantupstream of the suction fluid inlet 112 b of the cathode ejector 112 anddownstream of the oxidant outlet of the SOFC stack 116. The controller132 is configured to calculate the arithmetic mean, the median, oranother average temperature T1 _(MEAS) from multiple measuredtemperatures over a particular period of time (though in otherembodiments T1 _(MEAS) represents an instantaneous temperature reading).

The first PID module 132 a is configured to calculate the difference (ifany) between T1 _(SP) and T1 _(MEAS) and to calculate T2 _(SP) based onthat difference. T2 _(SP) represents a desired temperature of thecombustion byproducts downstream of the combustion byproducts outlet ofthe combustor 128 and upstream of the combustion byproducts inlet of thehot side of the oxidant heat exchanger 110. The first PID module 132 ais configured to send T2 _(SP) to the second PID module 132 b.

The second PID module 132 b is communicatively connected to the secondtemperature sensor 132 b to receive a signal representing thetemperature T2, which is the measured temperature of the combustionbyproducts downstream of the combustion byproducts outlet of thecombustor 128 and upstream of the combustion byproducts inlet of the hotside of the oxidant heat exchanger 110. The controller 132 is configuredto calculate the arithmetic mean, the median, or another averagetemperature T2 _(MEAS) from multiple measured temperatures over aparticular period of time (though in other embodiments T2 _(MEAS)represents an instantaneous temperature reading).

The second PID module 132 b is configured to determine the difference(if any) between T2 _(SP) and T2 _(MEAS) and to calculate the OFCD_(SP)based on that difference. The OFCD_(SP) corresponds to a particular massflow rate of oxidant into the SOFC system 100 required to bring T2_(MEAS) to T2 _(SP) and T1 _(MEAS) to T1 _(SP), thereby bringing thetemperature of the SOFC stack 116 to the desired temperature. Thecontroller 132 is configured to provide the OFCD_(SP) to the oxidantflow control device 130 to control the oxidant flow control device 130to draw oxidant from the oxidant source 102. Regardless of the mass flowrate of the oxidant, the oxidant travels through the SOFC system 100 asgenerally described above for the startup operating mode.

The controller 132 is therefore configured to modulate the output of theoxidant flow control device 130 based on fluid temperature measurementstaken outside of the SOFC stack 116 to maintain the temperature of theSOFC stack 116 at a desired temperature (or within a desired temperaturerange). This is more beneficial than using temperature measurementstaken at the SOFC stack 116 to determine how to modulate the output ofthe oxidant flow control device 130 to achieve a desired temperature inthe SOFC stack because it provides a quicker response time. The SOFCstack 116 is slow to respond to thermal changes as compared to theoxidant at T1 and T2.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a method is presented ofoperating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack comprisingmultiple fuel cells each comprising an anode and a cathode. The methodcomprises providing, by an oxidant flow control device and at asubstantially constant oxidant mass flow rate, an oxidant to thecathodes; sensing, by a temperature sensor, a temperature of the oxidantupstream of the fuel cell stack and sending, by the temperature sensor,a signal representing the sensed temperature to a controller;controlling, by the controller and based on the sensed temperature, anamount of heat an oxidant heater provides to the oxidant to heat theoxidant; and providing, by a fuel flow control device and at a fuel massflow rate, a fuel to the anodes.

In some embodiments the method further comprises providing, by the fuelcell stack, an electrical current to an electrical load. In someembodiments the method further comprises controlling, by the controller,the provision of the electrical current to the electrical load based onan electrical current set point. In some embodiments the method furthercomprises controlling, by the controller, the fuel flow control deviceto provide the fuel to the anodes. In some embodiments the methodfurther comprises determining, by the controller, the fuel mass flowrate based on the electrical current set point and controlling, by thecontroller, the fuel flow control device to provide the fuel to theanodes at the determined fuel mass flow rate.

In some embodiments a first electrical current set point corresponds toa first fuel mass flow rate and a second electrical current set pointthat is greater than the first electrical current set point correspondsto a second fuel mass flow rate that is greater than the first fuel massflow rate. In some embodiments the method further comprises controlling,by the controller, the oxidant flow control device to provide theoxidant to the cathodes and controlling, by the controller, the fuelflow control device to provide the fuel to the anodes.

In some embodiments the method further comprises controlling, by thecontroller and based on the sensed temperature, the amount of heat theoxidant heater provides to the oxidant to heat the oxidant bycontrolling, by the controller, a mass flow rate of an auxiliary fueloutput by an auxiliary fuel flow control device to the oxidant heater.In some embodiments the method further comprises determining, by thecontroller, a difference between the sensed temperature and atemperature set point and controlling, by the controller, the mass flowrate of the auxiliary fuel provided by the auxiliary fuel flow controldevice to the oxidant heater to reduce the difference between the sensedtemperature and the temperature set point.

In some embodiments determining the difference between the sensedtemperature and the temperature set point comprises determining, by aproportional-integral-derivative (PID) module of the controller, thedifference between the sensed temperature and the temperature set point.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel cellsystem comprises a fuel cell stack, an oxidant control device, a fuelflow control device, a temperature sensor, an oxidant heater, and acontroller. The fuel cell stack comprises multiple fuel cells eachcomprising an anode and a cathode. The oxidant flow control device is influid communication with the cathodes and configured to provide anoxidant at an oxidant mass flow rate to the cathodes. The fuel flowcontrol device is in fluid communication with the anodes and configuredto provide a fuel at a fuel mass flow rate to the anodes. Thetemperature sensor is configured to sense a temperature of the oxidantupstream of the fuel cell stack. The oxidant heater is configured toheat the oxidant upstream of the fuel cell stack. The controller isconfigured to control the oxidant flow control device to provide theoxidant to the cathodes such that the oxidant mass flow rate issubstantially constant; control, based on the sensed temperature, anamount of heat the oxidant heater provides to the oxidant to heat theoxidant; and control the fuel flow control device to provide the fuel tothe anodes.

In some embodiments the fuel cell stack is electrically connectable toan electrical load and configured to provide an electrical current tothe electrical load. In some embodiments the controller is furtherconfigured to control the provision of the electrical current to theelectrical load based on an electrical current set point. In someembodiments the controller is further configured to determine the fuelmass flow rate based on the electrical current set point and to controlthe fuel flow control device to provide the fuel to the anodes at thedetermined fuel mass flow rate. In some embodiments a first electricalcurrent set point corresponds to a first fuel mass flow rate and asecond electrical current set point that is greater than the firstelectrical current set point corresponds to a second fuel mass flow ratethat is greater than the first fuel mass flow rate.

In some embodiments the fuel cell system further comprises an auxiliaryfuel flow control device in fluid communication with the oxidant heaterand configured to provide an auxiliary fuel at an auxiliary fuel massflow rate to the oxidant heater. In some embodiments the controller isfurther configured to control the amount of heat the oxidant heaterprovides to the oxidant to heat the oxidant by controlling the auxiliaryfuel mass flow rate. In some embodiments the controller is furtherconfigured to determine a difference between the sensed temperature anda temperature set point and control the auxiliary fuel mass flow rate toreduce the difference between the sensed temperature and the temperatureset point. In some embodiments a proportional-integral-derivative (PID)module of the controller is configured to determine the differencebetween the sensed temperature and the temperature set point.

Various modifications to the embodiments described herein will beapparent to those skilled in the art. These modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosureand without diminishing its intended advantages. It is intended thatsuch changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a fuel cell systemcomprising a fuel cell stack comprising multiple fuel cells eachcomprising an anode and a cathode, the method comprising: providing, byan oxidant flow control device and at a substantially constant oxidantmass flow rate, an oxidant to the cathodes; sensing, by a temperaturesensor, a temperature of the oxidant upstream of the fuel cell stack andsending, by the temperature sensor, a signal representing the sensedtemperature to a controller; controlling, by the controller and based onthe sensed temperature, an amount of heat an oxidant heater provides tothe oxidant to heat the oxidant; and providing, by a fuel flow controldevice and at a fuel mass flow rate, a fuel to the anodes.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising providing, by the fuel cell stack, anelectrical current to an electrical load.
 3. The method of claim 2,further comprising controlling, by the controller, the provision of theelectrical current to the electrical load based on an electrical currentset point.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling, bythe controller, the fuel flow control device to provide the fuel to theanodes.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising determining, by thecontroller, the fuel mass flow rate based on the electrical current setpoint and controlling, by the controller, the fuel flow control deviceto provide the fuel to the anodes at the determined fuel mass flow rate.6. The method of claim 5, wherein a first electrical current set pointcorresponds to a first fuel mass flow rate and a second electricalcurrent set point that is greater than the first electrical current setpoint corresponds to a second fuel mass flow rate that is greater thanthe first fuel mass flow rate.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising controlling, by the controller, the oxidant flow controldevice to provide the oxidant to the cathodes and controlling, by thecontroller, the fuel flow control device to provide the fuel to theanodes.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling, by thecontroller and based on the sensed temperature, the amount of heat theoxidant heater provides to the oxidant to heat the oxidant bycontrolling, by the controller, a mass flow rate of an auxiliary fueloutput by an auxiliary fuel flow control device to the oxidant heater.9. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining, by thecontroller, a difference between the sensed temperature and atemperature set point and controlling, by the controller, the mass flowrate of the auxiliary fuel provided by the auxiliary fuel flow controldevice to the oxidant heater to reduce the difference between the sensedtemperature and the temperature set point.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein determining the difference between the sensed temperature andthe temperature set point comprises determining, by aproportional-integral-derivative (PID) module of the controller, thedifference between the sensed temperature and the temperature set point.11. A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell stack comprising multiplefuel cells each comprising an anode and a cathode; an oxidant flowcontrol device in fluid communication with the cathodes and configuredto provide an oxidant at an oxidant mass flow rate to the cathodes; afuel flow control device in fluid communication with the anodes andconfigured to provide a fuel at a fuel mass flow rate to the anodes; atemperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the oxidantupstream of the fuel cell stack; an oxidant heater configured to heatthe oxidant upstream of the fuel cell stack; and a controller configuredto: control the oxidant flow control device to provide the oxidant tothe cathodes such that the oxidant mass flow rate is substantiallyconstant; control, based on the sensed temperature, an amount of heatthe oxidant heater provides to the oxidant to heat the oxidant; andcontrol the fuel flow control device to provide the fuel to the anodes.12. The fuel cell system of claim 11, wherein the fuel cell stack iselectrically connectable to an electrical load and configured to providean electrical current to the electrical load.
 13. The fuel cell systemof claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to control theprovision of the electrical current to the electrical load based on anelectrical current set point.
 14. The fuel cell system of claim 13,wherein the controller is further configured to determine the fuel massflow rate based on the electrical current set point and to control thefuel flow control device to provide the fuel to the anodes at thedetermined fuel mass flow rate.
 15. The fuel cell system of claim 14,wherein a first electrical current set point corresponds to a first fuelmass flow rate and a second electrical current set point that is greaterthan the first electrical current set point corresponds to a second fuelmass flow rate that is greater than the first fuel mass flow rate. 16.The fuel cell system of claim 11, further comprising an auxiliary fuelflow control device in fluid communication with the oxidant heater andconfigured to provide an auxiliary fuel at an auxiliary fuel mass flowrate to the oxidant heater.
 17. The fuel cell system of claim 16,wherein the controller is further configured to control the amount ofheat the oxidant heater provides to the oxidant to heat the oxidant bycontrolling the auxiliary fuel mass flow rate.
 18. The fuel cell systemof claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to determine adifference between the sensed temperature and a temperature set pointand control the auxiliary fuel mass flow rate to reduce the differencebetween the sensed temperature and the temperature set point.
 19. Thefuel cell system of claim 18, wherein a proportional-integral-derivative(PID) module of the controller is configured to determine the differencebetween the sensed temperature and the temperature set point.